Auburn Swimming Topples Navy in Men’s Road Meet

Auburn defeated Navy. Photo Courtesy: Auburn Athletics

The No. 20 Auburn swimming and diving team won two dual meets all of last season. Two meets into this season, the men have already matched that total following Saturday’s 175-125 victory on the road at Navy.

“I’m really proud and excited by the overall performance,” Auburn head coach Gary Taylor said. “Any time you go on the road and get a win, it’s a big deal. And certainly after last year, the opportunity for this team to fight hard, to finish and get a win, it’s obviously a positive outcome.”

SEC COVERAGE

Competing on the road for the first time this season, Taylor challenged his squad to start fast and capitalize on the early energy and momentum in a new environment. The Tigers responded with first-place finishes in the first four events.

The relay team of Christian Ginieczki, Spencer Rowe, Santiago Grassi and Jack Armstrong got it started with a win in the 200 medley relay. Next, sophomore Aryan Makhija cruised to victory in the 1,000 freestyle, winning the event for the second straight week. Christian Sztolcman and Thomas Heinzel followed with a 1-2 finish in the 200 freestyle, and then it was freshman Lleyton Smith earning his first collegiate win in the 100 backstroke.

It was another strong meet for Grassi, who won the 50 free and 100 butterfly and also contributed on winning relay teams in both the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay. He’s now finished first in all eight races he’s swam in this season.

Armstrong and fellow freshman Aidan Stoffle finished second and third behind Grassi in the 50 free, giving the Tigers a clean sweep in the event. Armstrong was also a part of both of Auburn’s winning relay teams while Stoffle finished second in the 200 backstroke.

In total, Auburn swimming won nine of the 14 events Saturday.

“Just continued growth from the team,” Taylor said. “I told them before the meet that Navy would fight really hard. They would not roll over. And what I’m most proud of is our men came out on the road in a different environment and I thought performed really well. They got a lot of close wins and come away with a big victory and are 2-0.”

DIVING RECAP

Sophomore Conner Pruitt beat his scores from a week ago with two new personal bests in both the 1-meter (372.53) and 3-meter (393.98) diving competitions. Pruitt won the 1-meter event and finished second in the 3-meter.

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Auburn Swimming. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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